Posts

Constant activation of the stress response changes your mind and body. Meditation is one way to restore calm. Image Credit: Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images In modern life, we are often bombarded with information and sensory input, triggering the “fight-or-flight” response. The hypothalamus, in turn, causes the adrenal glands to release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Chronically elevated stress hormone levels can lead to high blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, depression, and obesity....

Finish out the year strong by recommitting to your goals or creating new ones. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages The leaves are changing colors. The days grow cooler. Daylight fades. Prime time network shows come back for a new season. Flannel shirts and scarves get moved to the front of the closet and back-to-school supplies are everywhere. Autumn has arrived! Advertisement What is it about fall that makes us feel like taking stock and starting over?...

Acid reflux, a painful condition that can cause burning in the chest and behind the breastbone, typically stems from eating certain foods like hummus. Image Credit: Svetlana Monyakova/iStock/GettyImages Acid reflux, a painful condition that can cause burning in the chest and behind the breastbone, typically stems from eating certain foods like hummus. People who enjoy eating hummus could potentially still incorporate the dip into their diet by following a low-acid hummus recipe....

Doing cardio five times a week will help you lose weight and improve overall health. Image Credit: Martin Barraud/OJO Images/Getty Images There are many different ways to lose weight, including changing your diet, performing strength training and doing cardio five times a week or more. Adding in regular physical activity such as 40 minutes of cardio is a great starting point for reaching your weight-loss goals. As you get comfortable with your new routine, you may find that combining a few different methods gives you even better results....

Someone is holding a pedometer in their hand. Image Credit: AndreyPopov/iStock/Getty Images Sportline is a Yonkers, New York, company that produces devices to manage exercise effectiveness and distance. The company website notes that it is the global leader in fitness monitoring instruments. Pedometers track your activity as you walk. Exact features vary, but many will record the number of steps, distance, calories, speed and time. As of 2010, Sportline has 17 different pedometers available....

Celebrate Hanukkah with these high-fat, low-carb, keto-friendly recipes for beef brisket, latkes, and more. Image Credit: Adobe Stock/@fortyforks Holidays are a time to indulge in the name of family gatherings and grandma’s cooking. But veering from your keto diet even just for a day can make you feel tired and sluggish — not to mention undo weeks of hard work converting to the fat-burning machine you’ve become. Advertisement The good news is the main ingredient being celebrated during Hanukkah is oil, which has the green light on the keto diet says Beth Warren, RDN, author of Secrets of a Kosher Girl....

A woman is using an outdoor elliptical machine. Image Credit: Anetlanda/iStock/Getty Images Using an elliptical machine gives you an effective cardio workout and is much less stressful on your muscles and joints than running or jogging on a hard surface. However, working out on an elliptical machine requires a certain amount of stamina and endurance just like any other cardio exercise. Some fatigue is normal, but if you are not in shape or not getting enough nourishment, leg fatigue occurs more quickly and is more pronounced....

Bundles of asparagus for sale at a market. Image Credit: Valenaphoto/iStock/Getty Images Nitrates are esters or salts released from nitric acid in some of the foods you consume. An excessive intake of nitrates, however, can put you and your family at risk for numerous health problems, which include cancer, intrauterine growth retardation and sudden infant death syndrome. By limiting your exposure to nitrates from the foods you consume, you can reduce your risk of the adverse health effects associated with toxic levels....

Learn how to use maple syrup in dishes to add a boost of flavor to any meal. Image Credit: robynmac/iStock/GettyImages Maple syrup is perfect for piling on pancakes, yes, but limiting the ingredient to your morning meal sells it short. Advertisement The sticky syrup can supply a natural nutty, earthy sweetness to veggies, meats and baked goods, creating deeper, more complex flavors in your favorite foods. Video of the Day From breakfast to dinner, desserts and snacks, these six maple syrup recipes — with 9 grams of sugar or less — add a touch of sweet deliciousness to your meal plan....

Granola bars are a convenient snack, but they're often high in sugar. Image Credit: Amarita/iStock/GettyImages Nature Valley started out as a cereal manufactured by General Mills in 1973, but it was quickly followed by the granola bar in 1975. Advertisement Today, you can find a number of different types of Nature Valley granola bars: crunchy, chewy, sweet or salty. The Nature Valley Oats 'n Honey bar is a crunchy variety that is low in saturated fat and a source of fiber and iron, but it's also a little high in calories....

The brachial plexus can be strengthened with neck and shoulder exercises. Image Credit: Mikolette/E+/GettyImages The brachial plexus is a network of nerves — cervical spinal nerves 5, 6, 7 and 8, as well as the first thoracic spinal nerve — that travel through the shoulder area to power muscles in your arms. While brachial plexus injuries are common during childbirth, they can also occur in adulthood. Advertisement According to a 2014 article published by ISRN Orthopedics, these injuries often occur as a result of motor vehicle accidents....

The reason behind poop shivers is kind of fascinating. Image Credit: FotoDuets/iStock/GettyImages While pooping isn’t a popular cocktail party conversation topic, it’s normal to have questions about your bathroom habits. Especially if your bowel movements seem a bit bizarre. Case in point: poop shivers. Advertisement If you've ever experienced this chilly phenomenon — feeling cold during or after pooping — you know it's a strange sensation. Naturally, you might wonder why going number two turns you into an ice cube....

Setting healthy boundaries with your parents is a form of self-care and a way to strengthen your relationship. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages When we talk about setting boundaries, it’s usually from the perspective of protecting ourselves from job burnout or toxic friendships, where the lines we need to draw are pretty clear-cut. But setting boundaries with your parents as an adult is often a hazier process, no matter your age or how close your relationship....

In addition to half the egg's protein, the yolk contains vitamin D, phosphorus, riboflavin, choline, and selenium. Image Credit: KucherAV/iStock/Getty Images In an earlier article I revealed that one of my weight-maintenance tricks is to eat a whole egg as a morning snack pretty much every single day (hard-boiled or deviled). Eggs keep me feeling full, and the protein keeps my cravings in check. Plus, the yolks contain most of the nutrients, including vitamin D....

Eating and drinking can be hard to do when you're not feeling well, but eating the right foods can help you feel better faster. Image Credit: ljubaphoto/E+/GettyImages We’ve all heard the age-old adage “starve a cold, feed a fever” but does the type of illness you have really determine how much you should eat? Advertisement When you're sick, you'll likely do anything to feel better faster and get back to feeling like your normal self....

Doctor injecting patient's arm. Image Credit: George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images Adults who do not receive the recommended 5 to 15 micrograms of vitamin D each day may be at risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency, the Office of Dietary Supplements reports. In the absence of appropriate vitamin D levels, your body may be more susceptible to certain bone conditions, such as osteoporosis. Your doctor may recommend treatment with vitamin D injections to help boost your blood levels of this vital nutrient....

Wake up to this brain breakfast a few times a week and your noggin will thank you. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages If you want to start off the day benefiting your brain, there’s one breakfast neurologists, neurosurgeons and other brain experts recommend: Overnight oats with walnuts and blueberries. Advertisement When making standard overnight oats, all you have to do is the following: Video of the Day Soak ½ cup rolled oats with 1 cup of almond milk....

Stability and cushioning keep your feet safe on the trail. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images The natural inward roll of your foot while running is called pronation, and most runners fall into one of three main categories: over-pronator, neutral or supinator. The supinator’s foot tends to roll outward, placing stress on the outer edges of the foot. Supinators require cushioning, and the best trail shoes will provide extra cushioning to help keep the foot injury-free during movement....

Cycling in and out of ketosis can cause digestion problems and brain fog — and you may gain back the weight you've lost on the keto diet. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative What Really Happens to Your Body When examines the head-to-toe effects of common behaviors, actions and habits in your everyday life. If you’re intrigued by the keto diet — or are currently following the high-fat, low-carb eating regimen — you’re likely very aware that this diet is super restrictive, making it one of the most challenging diets to follow....

Duck eggs have more yolk compared to chicken eggs, which can be helpful in cooking desserts and pastries. Image Credit: TinasDreamworld/iStock/GettyImages Around the world, eggs are one of the most commonly consumed foods. Whether they’re eaten as breakfast items, soufflés or salads, eggs are an integral part of many dishes. While most eggs come from chickens, duck eggs are becoming an increasingly popular choice. These eggs are filled with nutrients and are particularly rich in vitamin B12 and selenium....